1. Providing residences for the families affected by the overflowing Buthgamuwa canal
during the rainy season
The resettlement program for families living in landslide prone areas is currently underway in
14 districts. So far 1558 families have been resettled under the resettlement program. It seems
that, although there is no risk of landslides, it is advisable to include families who are
frequently affected by disasters such as coastal erosion, river erosion and frequent flooding in
the resettlement program. Accordingly, the need has been identified to resettle 42 families
affected by the frequent floods during the monsoon season caused by the overflow of the
Buthgamuwa canal in the 514 Welikada East Grama Niladhari Division of the
Jayawardenapura Kotte Divisional Secretariat. Accordingly the cabinet of Ministers approved
the proposal presented by H.E. the president in his capacity as the minister of defense to the
42 families from their place of residence and provide them with 42 houses from the housing
projects implemented by the Urban Development Authority for low income earners.
2. Implementation of the projects to promote Buddhist heritage between Sri Lanka and
India
The Government of India has agreed to grant of Rs. 2.89 billion for a period of five years for
the implementation of identified projects to promote cultural and public relations between Sri
Lanka and India and to further strengthen the Buddhist heritage of the two countries. Under
this program, projects jointly identified by the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and
Cultural Affairs and the High Commissioner of India are planned to implement on issues such
as infrastructure development, capacity building, cultural activities, archeological cooperation,
exhibition of Buddha relics in Sri Lanka and promotion of Buddhist to India. Accordingly, the
cabinet of ministers approved the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister in his capacity as the
Minister of Buddhasashana, Religious and Cultural affairs to enter in to a Memorandum of
Understanding for the implementation of the proposed project.
3. Project to provide permanent housing to families living on rent basis as they do not have
a house or land to build a house.
The State Ministry of Rural Housing and Construction & Building Materials Industries
Promotion, has planned to implement a housing program called 'Sonduru Mahal Niwasa'
through the National Housing Development Authority with the objective of providing
affordable permanent housing to low middle income families who are in need of house and
living in rented houses as they do not have a house or land to build a house. Beneficiaries
selected under this program should have an initial payment capacity of Rs. 500000 / -. The
balance value of the house will be charged in installments over a period of one year.
Beneficiaries will also be given the opportunity to obtain a bank loan if required. Accordingly
the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Prime Minister in his
capacity as the Minister of Urban Development and to implement the said housing program
and to construct 72 houses on a land at Ranpokunugama owned by the National Housing
Development Authority as a pilot project.
4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the
United Kingdom on Health Care Cooperation.
The two countries have agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom on issues of enhancing cooperation in the health sector and
affirming the rights of healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom. In particular,
Sri Lanka will be able to access the emerging employment opportunities in the UK health
sector subsequently the withdrawal from the European Union. Accordingly the cabinet of
Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by Minister of Labour, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Minister of Health to sign the said MOU.
5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary on implementation of a scholarship
program
It is proposed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide scholarships to
Sri Lankan students for the period 2022-2024 under the Foreign Student Scholarship Program
“STEPENDIUM HUNGARCUM” implemented under the auspices of the Hungarian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade with a view to further enhancing the existing cooperation
between the two countries. Under this program, Sri Lankan students will have the opportunity
to follow 8 undergraduate, 8 postgraduate and 04 doctoral degrees. Accordingly the Cabinet of
Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Education to enter in to the
emorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka and Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Hungry.
6. Establishment of Welioya Sugar Factory affiliated to Lanka Sugar (Pvt) Ltd.
Sri Lanka's annual sugar requirement is around 600,000 metric tons. About 85% of this is
imported and it costs around Rs. 45 billion annually. Domestic sugar production was 54,000
metric tons by the year 2020 and it is planned to increase the production. Accordingly, it is
proposed to set up a new sugar factory under the Ceylon Sugar Company in the Welioya area
in Moneragala District. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented
by Hon. Minister of Plantation to implement the project above.
7. Industrial Assistance Scheme for Global Promotion by Local Destination Management
Companies, Hotel Owners and Online Travel Agents
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTBB) plans to launch an industry support
scheme for global promotions by local destination management companies, hotel Owners and
online travel agents under post-Covid status. Under this, the concession is expected to be given
to eligible institutions for a maximum period of 6 months in the year 2022. The Board of
Directors has approved the allocation of Rs. 400 million for the proposed program.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of
tourism to implement this program
08. Acquisition of the plot of land belonging to the Sri Lanka Railway Department which the
Haputale Police Station is located by the Sri Lanka Police.
The Haputale Police Station has been established since 1928 in a plot of land which is a
railway reserve belonging to the Sri Lanka Railway Department in extent of 1 Acre,1 Rood and
9.8 perches. As the land where the police station is located has not yet been formally handed
over to the Sri Lanka Police, it has not been able to construct new buildings necessary for the
police or repair them by spending money. Accordingly, the proposal tabled by the Minister of
Public Security to acquire the said land for the Sri Lanka Police, was approved by the Cabinet
of Ministers.
09. Importation of required rice to provide for a reasonable price
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Trade to import
200,000 metric tons of Nadu Rice and 100,000 metric tons of GR 11 short Grain Rice type of
rice as a substitute for Samba Rice to ensure the availability of required rice consignments in
the open market.
10. Purchasing Carbonic Fertilizer for the local paddy cultivation
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal tabled by the Minister of Agriculture to
commence the fertilizer procurement process to supply local carbonic fertilizer to the farmers
for the Yala season 2022 considering the recommendations on the Eco Friendly Fertilizer
prepared for local cultivation by the Director General of Agriculture and to purchase the Eco
Friendly local fertilizer supplied by the local manufacturers for the Yala season 2022 according
to the prescribed standarderd utilizing the allocated grants for fertilizer subsidies Programme
for 2022 by the two government fertilizer companies.
11. Animal Welfare Bill
Approval to complete the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill immediately has been granted by
the Cabinet Meeting held at 19th October,2020. Accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney
General has been received for the said bill that drafted by the Legal Draftsman. The Cabinet of
Ministers gave their consent for the proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture to
publish the said bill in the government gazette and subsequently submit to the Parliament for
approval.
